12 Scenic Hikes in Europe for Fall That Are Worth Every Step

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Are you looking for the best hikes in Europe for fall? If so, you’re lucky because Europe is well-known for its picturesque landscapes, scenic hiking trails, and breathtaking fall foliage. However, there are many excellent places to hike in Europe, so choosing which hiking trail to tackle first is challenging.

Luckily for you, we’re here to help. In this article, you’ll find 12 stunning hikes in Europe that offer magical displays of fall foliage, impressive viewpoints, cooler temperatures, and an adventure through some of Europe’s most magnificent locations. Whether you’re looking to take on the Alps, explore the British countryside, or enjoy a scenic stroll in Cinque Terre, we’ve got you covered.

The Blue Trail, Cinque Terre, Italy

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Cinque Terre is a collection of five towns on the Italian Riviera, best known for their vibrant architecture, rich cultural heritage, and picturesque scenery. You can easily explore the towns by bus, boat, and train. However, the Blue Trail, one of the top autumn trails in Europe, is our favorite.

This 7.5-mile (12-kilometer) trail connects Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare, visiting all five towns. This breathtaking trail is spectacular year-round, but it looks especially beautiful in the fall when the towns are surrounded by vibrant foliage. You’ll never tire of admiring the lush scenery, looking out to sea, and taking photographs of the traditional Italian houses and terraced vineyards.

The Brine Trail, Hallstatt, Austria

In Hallstatt, a charming Alpine town in Austria’s mountainous Salzkammergut region, the fall season offers out-of-this-world landscapes smothered in vibrant yellow, red, and orange leaves. Besides the magical fall colors, Hallstatt is famed for its picturesque lake and world-famous photography spot. As such, the town’s historic hiking trail—the Brine Trail—is one of the best autumn hikes across Europe.

The Brine Trail leads from Hallstatt on Lake Hallstatt to Ebensee on Lake Traunsee. It is approximately 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) long and passes through Bad Goisern and Bad Ischl, two gorgeous Austrian towns. You’ll discover towering mountains, pristine lakes, and vast forested landscapes at every turn. What’s not to like?

The Cleveland Way National Trail, North Yorkshire, England

The United Kingdom is home to 16 national trails, all of which offer breathtaking natural beauty. One of the best is the Cleveland Way National Trail in North Yorkshire. This 109-mile (175-kilometer) hiking route is one of the top fall hiking destinations in Europe if you want to experience England’s stunning countryside.

The trail leads walkers through the heart of North York Moors National Park, where you’ll find an ever-changing landscape that takes on colorful fall foliage in autumn. In September, you can admire the moorland heather in full bloom along the Cleveland Way. Furthermore, you’ll pass many iconic places like Scarborough, Whitby, and Robin Hood’s Bay. This trail starts in Helmsley and ends in Filey Brigg.

Rob Roy Way, Highlands, Scotland

Another excellent hiking trail in the United Kingdom is the 79-mile (128-kilometer) long Rob Roy Way in the Scottish Highlands. Easily one of the greatest fall walks throughout Europe, this strenuous trail offers dramatic landscapes laden with fall foliage. It will likely take you several days to complete the entire route.

However, the sore feet are well worth it, as you’ll be treated to mind-blowing views of Scotland’s natural scenery, famed for its rugged mountains, vast countryside, and magical forests. You might also spot various wildlife species, such as Roe Deer, Dippers, and Wagtails. This scenic trail starts near Loch Lomond and passes multiple lochs on the way to Killin before you eventually arrive in Pitlochry.

Tour du Mont Blanc, France, Italy, Switzerland

The Tour du Mont Blanc hiking trail in Central Europe lets you tick three countries off your bucket list in one trip. The 103-mile (165-kilometer) trail passes through France, Italy, and Switzerland. The trail’s mesmerizing alpine scenery and lush fall foliage make it one of the must-see trails in Europe for fall.

Along this moderately difficult trail, you’ll discover picturesque snow-capped mountains, dense alpine forests, charming small towns, and more. A key highlight is Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe. Another major draw to this route is the lack of tourists in the fall. This creates a much more relaxing and authentic atmosphere that you’ll appreciate.

Wasserfallsteig, Bad Urach, Germany

At only 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) long, the Wasserfallsteig hiking trail in Germany is one of the top hiking paths across Europe for autumn for travelers who don’t want to spend multiple days exploring. Perfect for beginners, this gorgeous hiking trail in the Black Forest is surrounded by picturesque waterfalls, lush meadows, rolling hills, and dense forests.

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In the fall, the landscape explodes with a kaleidoscope of fall foliage. You can expect brown, red, orange, yellow, and golden leaves. This short and easy loop visits some of Germany’s best waterfalls, the Urach and the Güterstein, so don’t forget your camera. After the hike, head into Bad Urach to sample local cuisine and relax in the thermal spa.

The King’s Trail, Kungsleden, Sweden

If you want to explore Sweden’s fascinating Lapland province on foot, look no further than the King’s Trail, a 286-mile (460-kilometer) hiking trail that leads through the heart of the country’s sub-artic region. This is one of the best fall treks in Europe if you’re an experienced hiker or adventurer.

Completing the entire route is no easy feat, so a wealth of experience is required. Luckily, the effort you put into completing the trail is rewarded with impressive fall scenery, lush birch forests, glacial valleys, and maybe even the Aurora Borealis. The 65-mile (104-kilometer) trail from Abisko to Nikkaluokta is a more manageable section of the King’s Trail.

The Fimmvörduháls Trek, Iceland

The Fimmvörduháls Trek is a one to two day hiking trail in Iceland that offers exceptional natural scenery year-round. However, the trail’s fine display of fall foliage in autumn makes it one of the ultimate autumn hiking spots in Europe. This 15.5-mile (25-kilometer) walking route is widely regarded as one of Iceland’s most famous hikes.

It’s best to start the hike in Skógar from the top of the iconic Skógafoss waterfall. The trail follows the river up into the mountains, where you’ll find many more waterfalls and 360-degree landscape views. You’ll then walk along a canyon until you reach a snowy mountaintop and hut where you can spend the night. You’ll then pass three glaciers on your descent into Thórsmörk valley.

La Boucle de Patérier, Annecy, France

Annecy is arguably one of the world’s most beautiful towns. Located in southeastern France, this gorgeous Alpine town, which sits on the Thiou River and Lake Annecy, is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, making it one of Europe’s premier hiking destinations. You can admire the town’s best scenery on the La Boucle de Patérier trail.

This trail is only 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) long but offers spectacular views of the town’s surrounding landscapes. Along the trail, you’ll find epic viewpoints that provide incredible views of Lake Annecy, Annecy, and the region’s snowcapped mountains. Not to mention, in the fall, the trail is lined with fall foliage. You’ll depart from Saint-Jorioz and complete the trail in approximately two hours.

Romsdalseggen Ridge, Isfjorden, Norway

In the fall, the scenery surrounding Romsdalseggen Ridge in Isfjorden, Norway, comes to life with a vibrant display of fall foliage, making this hiking trail one of the best European hikes for fall. A big hit with mountaineers and experienced hikers, this challenging trail is a 6.4-mile (10.3-kilometer) circuit that traverses a rocky ridge to the summit of Romsdalseggen.

This trail isn’t easy and takes several hours to complete, but your efforts will be rewarded with magnificent views of Isfjorden’s glacial waters, powerful waterfalls, and jagged peaks. From the summit, you can admire the impressive views of the Romsdal Mountains, Dronninga, Kongen, and Store Trolltind in the distance.

The Royal Path To the Franz Joseph Cliffs, Sinaia, Romania

Romania might not be considered one of Europe’s most famous hiking destinations, but anyone who discounts the nation is seriously missing out. In truth, Romania, with its incredible natural landscapes, should be considered one of the best hiking locations in the world. You can expect hiking trails of varying difficulty with impressive mountain peaks, dense forests, and picturesque meadows.

The Royal Path to the Franz Joseph Cliffs in Sinaia is one of the best hiking trails in Romania. This easy-to-medium-difficulty trail only takes two hours to complete, but it offers a wonderful insight into Romania’s natural beauty. In the fall, the trail’s dense forest turns red, yellow, and orange, making it look extraordinary. The trail starts at Peles Castle.

Tervuren Arboretum to Bois-de-la-Cambre, Tervuren, Belgium

The Tervuren Arboretum to Bois-de-la-Cambre trail is a 13-mile (21-kilometer) hiking route in Tervuren, Belgium that makes our list of the best fall hikes in Europe for fall for several reasons. First, this trail passes through the Tervuren region’s lush forests, which are covered in an immense fall foliage display throughout the fall.

Second, the trail also allows tourists to visit some of the region’s most fascinating attractions, such as the Royal Museum for Central Africa, where the trail starts, and the Tervuren Arboretum. Finally, the trail ends at Bois-de-la-Cambre, a stunning park in Brussels known for its stunning natural scenery. Topping things off nicely, the trail explores the vast Sonian Forest.

Read also: World’s Most Stunning Peaks